Verified participant database system for surveys and promotions

ABSTRACT

In general, the subject matter described in the specification can be embodied in methods, systems and program products for a verified participant database system that verifies information on potential participants for surveys and promotions that require numerous participants with certain characteristics. Among other features, the verified participant database system aggregates and preferably verifies information, for example, the demographic and purchasing information, of potential participants by receiving permission to obtain information from third-party sources.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to a verified participant databasesystem that verifies demographic and purchasing history information ofpotential participants against third-party information, and matchesverified participants with appropriate surveys, promotions, and events.

A survey is a set of questions directed toward generating data from aparticular group of people on a particular topic. Surveys may be used togain information on demographics or purchasing habits, among otherthings. Traditionally, surveys have been conducted by phone or in-personinterview, or by written questions and responses through physical orelectronic means. The survey results from a representative sample areused to understand the attitude of a particular demographic or theoverall population. There are numerous companies that conduct surveys asa service or to sell the survey data.

Survey results can only be used to understand the particular group whenthe survey participants are representative of that group. In otherwords, if the participants are not representative of a group, theresults will not accurately reflect the attitude of that group. Whilesome participants may be qualified by background research, for example,a survey of doctors may seek to sign up doctors certified in aparticular region, this process is cumbersome and time-consuming.Further, many demographic questions relevant to a survey cannot beeasily researched and rely on self-reporting by the participant. Forexample, a survey may seek information on the purchasing habits of aparticular age or income group. However, the survey has no means ofresearching this information and must rely on the representations of theparticipants. If the self-reported demographic information isinaccurate, then the survey data may not be representative of thedesired demographic group.

The advent of online and electronic surveys has increased surveyopportunities but also compounded this problem. Many surveys areconducted online and are completed by participants at their convenience.However, online surveys allow participants to provide responses throughthe Internet from different locations. Surveys seeking to gather data onresidents in a particular geographic area may receive responses fromparticipants outside that target area who may have self-reportedresidence inside the target area.

Similarly, companies may target participants with certain demographicbackground or purchasing habits for promotions. Among other things,promotions are offered to attract suitable new consumers or enticeexisting consumers to purchase products or services. If information onthe promotion participants is incorrect, the benefits for the companysponsoring the promotion may not be realized. Increased promotionsoffered online has increase the pool of potential participants butcompanies have less information on participants solicited online thethrough traditional means such as prior business. Other types ofactivities may likewise benefit from a pool of participants withverified demographic and purchasing habit information.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to an electronic digital computer machineand data processing system, methods for making and for using themachine, products produced thereby, as well as data structures andarticles of manufacture pertaining thereto, all in the field ofcomputerized aspects of verifying information for a participant databasefor surveys, promotions, and other events. More particularly, thisinvention relates to a digital electronic data processing system for aprocess for verifying information, including demographic and purchasinghistory information, of potential participants to match with eventsseeking participants with specific verified demographics and/orpurchasing history. Further, the present invention involvescomputer-aided processing and communications, for example over theInternet, for retrieving participant information from third-partysources using permissions from the participant to aggregate verifiedinformation about the participant.

Available participant database systems allow participants to self-reportdemographic and purchasing background information. There are few, ifany, barriers to prevent potential participants from misrepresentingthis information in order to participate in a particular survey orpromotion, especially where participants are solicited online. Thedescribed verified participant database system incorporates one or morechecks to verify the background information of potential participants sothat members of the desired demographic group can be identified forsurveys, promotions, or other events.

In general, a participant system includes a database of potentialparticipants that may be recruited online. The potential participantsprovide certain unverified demographic and/or purchasing information toqualify themselves for various events, including surveys and promotions.Potential participants may have incentive to misstate their demographicand/or purchasing history in order to qualify for events. For example, apromotion may seek to attract participants form a certain geography orincome bracket. Or, a survey may seek the input of a participant thatmade a certain purchase or drives a certain brand of automobile. Thedatabase then matches participants with promotions or events based onunverified, self-reported information, such as demographic and/orpurchasing information.

In the verified participant database system, the data card for apotential participant includes unverified information from the potentialparticipant and may also include verified information about thepotential participant. In particular, the participant has theopportunity to verify certain information, such as demographic and/orpurchasing information, in the verified participant database system. Apotential participant may provide consent for the improved system toobtain verification information from a third party. For example, apotential participant can provide consent for the verified participantdatabase system to obtain financial records from a bank or documentsfrom the government to verify the participant's location or financialstatus. Or, the participant may provide consent for the system to obtainpurchasing records from a product vendor, for example an online store,to verify past purchases. In addition to third-party verification, thepotential participant may provide copies of certain statements to theverified participant database system to verify other information. Forexample, the potential participant may provide a copy of a carregistration or invoice for cable services to the database system toverify that the participant owns or leases a particular vehicle or usesparticular services that may be relevant to a survey or promotion.

The verified participant database system provides mechanisms forthird-party verification of the potential survey participant'sinformation, including demographic and purchasing information. Forexample, the verified participant database system may obtain permissionfrom the potential participant to retrieve supporting information ordocumentation, including in electronic form, from third parties tocomplete or verify the participant's demographic or purchasinginformation. The verified participant database system may also obtainpermission from the potential survey participant under existing legalframeworks to request deletion of the information held by a third party.Such legal framework include, but are not limited to, the General DataProtection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Protection Act(CaCPA). The verified participant database system may track responsesfrom third parties following a request to delete information, and followup with the third party to ensure that the requested deletion is carriedout.

The verified participant database system creates a profile and storesboth unverified and verified demographic and purchasing information foreach potential participant in a database. The potential participant canfurther provide contact information and contact preferences for events,and the database can store these information as part of the profiles.For example, a potential participant may only want to participate inevents through electronic mail or online. Other potential participantsmay be willing to speak on the telephone, or even appear in person, oncertain days at specified times for defined periods. The verifiedparticipant database system stores this information and also storeswhether the participant's willingness to be available for an event, suchas a survey, requires certain level of compensation (which can be hourlyor total compensation).

The verified participant database system receives and stores surveys,promotions, or other events that seek participants with particulardemographic or purchasing history, and searches the database ofpotential participant profiles to respond to these inquiries. Thesurvey, promotion, or event can specify whether the particularrequirements are satisfied by verified information (such as demographicor purchasing history information), unverified information, or a mixtureof information. The verified participant database system also considersany availability restrictions (online, telephonic, or in-person) for theevent and reviews the contact preferences for matching participants inthe database to determine the appropriate participants to match with theevent. The ability to match events with appropriate participants withverified information should be invaluable to companies conducting eventssuch as surveys and promotions. In addition, participants in thedatabase that have verified their information should benefit by beingmatched with more events, including surveys and promotions, whichtypically provide monetary compensation or benefits to participants.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exemplary schematic of a database system of verifiedparticipants according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary participant database entry and an exemplary eventdatabase entry in the verified participant database system according tothe present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary process for intake of a participant's informationaccording to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an alternative exemplary process for intake of a participant'sinformation according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary process for retrieval of verified information fora participant according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is another exemplary process for intake of a participant'sinformation according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary schematic of a database system ofverified participants according to the present invention is illustrated.The verified participant database system is comprised of, among otherthings, a database 10 that includes networking, storage, and processinghardware. The verified participant database receives, stores, indexes,and retrieves events and potential participants for those events. Theverified participant database has networking equipment and is connectedto the Internet so that it can communicate with remote devices throughthe Internet as well as with devices that are physically or locallylinked. Among other things, the verified participant database storesinformation received for events and potential participants. For example,the verified participant database system may receive and storeinformation in database entries for Event One 10 which is a survey,Event Two 11 which is another survey, and Event Three 12 which is apromotion. In this example, Event One 10 may be a survey that seeksparticipants between 18 to 25 years of age, who are verified asattending college in California, Event Two 11 may be a survey that seeksparticipants between 26 to 35 years of age, who have been verified as inWashington, and having an income of $50,000 to $100,000, and Event Three12 may be a promotion for Brand X products seeking participants who havebeen verified as purchasing Brand Y products in the past year andlocated in San Francisco.

In one embodiment, the verified participant database system may receiveand store information for Verified Participant One 14, VerifiedParticipant Two 15, and Verified Participant Three 16. In this context,verified participants are potential participants that have submittedbackground information, such as demographic or purchasing information,to participate in events and have verified certain information. Inparticular, in the verified participant database system, participantshave the opportunity to verify certain demographic and/or purchasinginformation among other things. A potential participant may provideconsent for the improved participant database system to obtainverification information from a third party. Or, the potential surveyparticipant may provide copies of certain statements to the improvedparticipant database system to verify other information. For example,Verified Participant One 14 may store information in a database entryfor participant one, including unverified information on theparticipant's age, and verified information that the participant isattending UC Berkeley in California. The verification may be, amongother things, proof of current enrollment at the university. Theverified participant database system may match, in this example,Verified Participant One 14 as a potential participant for Event One 10.When there is a match, the verified participant database system may,among other things, deliver questions for an electronic survey to theparticipant and transmit responses to the company promoting the event,provide details of how to obtain a promotion to the participant, orconnect the participant with the promoting company to participate in anevent. The verified participant database system may also first comparethe event details against the contact preferences of potentialparticipants that meet the criteria to identify participants who may bewilling to participate in the event based on the specified date(s),time(s), and form(s) of contact specified by the promoter in the eventdetails before identifying matching participant(s) with the event.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary event database entry 20 and anexemplary participant database entry 21 according to the presentinvention are illustrated. For example, the event database entry 20 forEvent #123 specifies Event type, Event details, Participant criteria A,and Participant criteria B. Information on the Event type is receivedfrom the promoting company and stored in the database, and may be asurvey, promotion, or other type of event that requires participants.The Event details are received and stored by the verified participantdatabase system and may include details such as the company that ispromoting the event and the details for participating. Participantcriteria A and Participant criteria B store one or more eventparticipation criteria received from the promoting company. For example,Participant criteria A may include the criteria for participants and mayinclude participant criteria such as age, location, income, or recentpurchases. For example, Participant criteria B may include the dates andtimes for participation and the method of participation, such as online,by phone, at a location, or a combination of these, or other methods ofcommunication and participation.

In one embodiment, the participant database entry 21 for Participant ABCstores information relating to the participant, which may include Name,Contact information, Contact preferences, Verified demographicinformation, Verified purchasing information, Unverified information,Permission(s) obtained, and Third-party actions. For example, thepotential participant identified as Participant ABC may provide his orher Name, Contact information, Contact preferences, and Unverifiedinformation, which is stored on the participant database entry 21. Theverified participant database system allows the Participant ABC theopportunity to verify certain demographic and/or purchasing information.Participant ABC may provide permission(s) for the system to obtaininformation or documents from a third party to verify certaindemographic and/or purchasing information. For example, Participant ABCmay provide permission for the verified participant database system toobtain financial records from a bank or the government to verify theparticipant's financial status, or the participant may providepermission for the improved system to obtain purchasing records from asales source, for example an online store, to verify past purchases. Inaddition to permission for third-party verification, Participant ABC mayprovide copies of certain statements to the verified participantdatabase system to verify other information. For example, ParticipantABC may provide a copy of a car registration or invoice for cableservices to the verified participant database system to verify thatParticipant ABC owns or leases a particular vehicle or uses particularservices that may be relevant to a survey or promotion.

In one embodiment, the verified participant database system providesmechanisms for aggregation or verification of the potential surveyparticipant's demographic or purchasing information via permissions. Forexample, the improved system may obtain permission from the potentialparticipant to retrieve supporting information or documentation,including in electronic form, from third parties to complete or verifythe participant's demographic or purchasing information and store thatverified information. The verified participant database system mayreconcile the verified information with the unverified information suchthat information, such as demographic or purchasing information, whichhas been both provided by the potential participant and also verified,is stored only as verified information and not as unverifiedinformation.

The verified participant database system may also obtain permission fromthe potential survey participant under existing legal frameworks torequest deletion of the information held by a third party. Such legalframeworks include, but are not limited to, the General Data ProtectionRegulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Protection Act (CaCPA). Inone embodiment, the verified participant database system stores thesepermissions on the participant database entry 21 and also stores anyverified information and a summary of third-party actions in response touse of the permissions. For example, the participant database entry 21may store information that Source A provided verification of certaininformation or that Source B was requested to delete held informationbut has not yet responded. Other statuses may include requested toprovide information but has not yet responded, requested to deleteinformation and deletion confirmed, and requested to delete informationbut request denied. This last status may require additional follow up bythe verified participant database system depending on the reason fordenial. For example, the system may need to obtain a deletion permissionin a different form, or it may need to continue pressing on thethird-party source, or it may need to contact a regulator to enforce theprivacy framework.

The CaCPA is one example of a legal framework that supports retrievaland deletion of personal information held by a third party. The CaCPAdefines personal information broadly to include identifying information(such as name and address), educational information, professional andemployment information, and Internet activity (such as online purchasinghistory), among other things. The CaCPA provides that certain businessesmust provide a consumer's personal information to the consumer in aportable format; if technically feasible, the personal informationshould be transferred in a format that is readily useable. The GDPRlikewise provides this legal framework for portability of personal datafor the European Union. Thus, once retrieval permissions are received,under a framework such as the CaCPA, the verified participant databasesystem may retrieve verified information from a third-party source on aparticipant's education, profession, employment, and purchasing history,to the extent held by that third party. The personal data received fromthe third-party source can then be sorted, indexed, and stored in theparticipant's database entry.

Consumers also have the right to request deletion of personalinformation under the CaCPA, and certain businesses must comply withinthe statutory period. Thus, the verified participant database system mayreceive delete permissions from a participant, and transmit thosepermissions to a third party to request deletion of personal informationafter retrieving that information. The deletion right under the CaCPA issimilar to the right to be forgotten under the GDPR, and numerous EUcitizens have elected to exercise their right to delete personal dataunder the GDPR.

In one embodiment, the participant database entry 21 further may storeunder “Contact information” information from the potential participantsuch as home and/or work address, phone number, email address, socialmedia site identifiers, and other means by which the potentialparticipant maybe be contacted. The participant database entry 21further may store under “Contact preferences” information from thepotential participant such as dates and times and means of contact bywhich the potential participant wants to be contacted. For example, apotential participant may only want to participate in events throughelectronic mail or online. Other potential participants may be willingto speak on the telephone, or even appear in person, on certain days atspecified times for defined periods. The verified participant databasesystem stores this information and also stores whether the participant'swillingness to be available for an event, such as a survey, requirescertain level of compensation (which can be specified as hourly or totalcompensation).

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary process for intake of a participant'sinformation according to the present invention is illustrated. Theverified participant database system receives and stored the name andcontact information of the potential participant in step 30. This mayinclude the name of the potential participant and one or more forms ofcontact, such as home and/or work address, phone number, email address,social media site identifiers, and other means by which the potentialparticipant maybe be contacted. In step 31, the verified participantdatabase system receives and stores the self-reported demographic and/orpurchasing information of the potential participant. Self-reporteddemographic information may include the participant's age, gender,marital status, ethnicity, education, profession, income, net worth, andlocation. Self-reported purchasing information may include informationon the category of purchase (such as consumer item or cable service),the brand of the item or service purchased (such as Cuisinart or TimeWarner), the specific item or service purchased (such as a blender orPreferred TV package), when it was purchased (such as within the lastsix months or current subscription), and how it was purchased (whetherit was financed or leased). The information self-reported by thepotential participant is stored as unverified information. For example,the information may be stored with a marker or indicator that it isunverified information.

In one embodiment, in step 32, the potential participant has an optionto verify a First Information and the verified participant database mayreceive the verification support for the First Information. For example,the potential participant may elect to verify the participant's purchaseof a consumer item, Cuisinart blender, within the last six months, andthe verified participant database system may receive a purchase receiptas verification support for the details of the blender purchase andstore it as verified information. The verified participant databasesystem may implement the status of the information with a marker orindicator, which would change from unverified information to verifiedinformation with appropriate verification. Or, the verified participantdatabase system may simply store the information in a chart whereunverified information is stored in one location and verifiedinformation is stored in another. Likewise, in step 33, the potentialparticipant may be offered the option to verify a Second Information inthe same manner. For example, the potential participant may elect toverify the participant's current subscription to cable televisionprovider, Time Warner, and the verified participant database system mayreceive a current monthly bill as verification support and store thedetails of the cable subscription information as verified information.In each of the steps, the verified participant database stores theverified and unverified information for the participant.

Referring to FIG. 4, another exemplary process for intake of aparticipant's information according to the present invention isillustrated. The verified participant database system receives andstores the name and contact information of the potential participant instep 40. This may include the name of the potential participant and oneor more forms of contact, such as home and/or work address, phonenumber, email address, social media site identifiers, and other means bywhich the potential participant maybe be contacted. In step 41, theverified participant database system receives and stores theself-reported demographic and/or purchasing information of the potentialparticipant. Self-reported demographic information may include theparticipant's age, gender, marital status, ethnicity, education,profession, income, net worth, and location. Self-reported purchasinginformation may include information on the category of purchase (such asconsumer item or cable service), the brand of the item or servicepurchased (such as Cuisinart or Time Warner), the specific item orservice purchased (such as a blender or Preferred TV package), when itwas purchased (such as within the last six months or currentsubscription), and how it was purchased (whether it was financed orleased).

In one embodiment, in step 42, the potential participant has an optionto retrieve information from a First Source in order to verify certaininformation or to aggregate verified information. For example, thepotential participant may elect to retrieve information to verify theparticipant's purchase of a consumer item, such as a Vitamix blender,and the verified participant database system may receive a FirstRetrieval Permission from the participant to obtain purchase historyfrom a First Source, such as Target. The verified participant databasecan then contact the First Source and provide the Retrieval Permission,and receive documents or information from the third-party that verifiesthe participant's purchase of the Vitamix blender. This information canbe stored as verified information. In another embodiment, step 42 mayalternatively, or additionally, be an option to retrieve and aggregateparticipant information from a third-party source as the RetrievalPermission may provide access to participant information in the FirstSource's possession that exceeds the scope of the unverifiedinformation. The information retrieved may be used to only verifyinformation that the participant requested. Or, the informationretrieved from the First Source may be preferably used to populate theparticipant's database entry with verified information. For example,Amazon.com provides tools for downloading shipment, return, and refundactivity. The retrieval permission for Amazon.com may include theparticipant's credentials for logging into Amazon.com. The set ofretrieved data is in CSV format file, which is compatible with MicrosoftExcel, and the verified participant database system can parse or indexthe retrieved data to identify verified purchase history of theparticipant at Amazon.com. As another example, under both the CaCPA andthe GDPR, the participant will need to prove their identity in order toretrieve information. The retrieval permission may include theparticipant's permission to retrieve as well as proof of identity forthe participant. After verifying identity, the third-party source maysend a zip file with the participant's information or a link to wherethe participant's information is located. The participant's data will beprovided in a portable format and the verified participant databasesystem may index or parse the data to retrieve relevant verifiedinformation on the participant. As a further example, the InternalRevenue Service provides tools for retrieving a tax transcriptcontaining demographic information on the participant. The retrievalpermission for a tax transcript may require the participant's socialsecurity number, date of birth, filing status, mailing address, personalaccount information on a line of credit, and a mobile phone. Theverified information retrieved may include marital status and grossincome.

In one embodiment, in step 43, the participant may be offered the optionto delete the information at the First Source. If the participantdesires to delete that information, the participant may provide theverified participant database system with Delete Permission for theFirst Source. The verified participant database system may presentDelete Permission to the First Source to request that the First Sourcedelete some or all of the information stored by the First Source onparticipant. Preferably, the request to delete occurs after anyinformation on the participant, including demographic and/or purchasinghistory information, is obtained by the verified participant databasesystem from First Source. The Delete Permission may be a request underGDPR, CaCPA, or other applicable rules or regulations that require areceiving organization to comply with the request to delete personalinformation.

In one embodiment, in step 44, the potential participant is given theoption to retrieve information from a Second Source and may provide aSecond Retrieval Permission to the verified participant database system.The retrieved information may be used to verify certain unverifiedinformation. Alternatively, step 44 may be an option to aggregateverified information from the Second Source. The verified participantdatabase system according to the present invention can include furthersteps to provide options to delete the Second Information at the SecondSource, to verify a Third Information at a Third Source, to delete aThird Information, and so on. In each of the steps, the verifiedparticipant database system stores the verified and unverifiedinformation for the participant. The verified participant databasesystem preferably saves information tracking the status of requests todelete the participant's information at third-party sources and theresponse received, including whether the deletion request was accepted,rejected, or completed. The verified participant database system mayreceive confirmation from third-party sources on whether the requesteddeletions were completed. The verified participant database system beconfigured to generate reports on the third-party sources that have notcomplied with deletion requests, and to follow up with those third-partysources.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exemplary process for intake of a participant'sinformation from a third party according to the present invention isillustrated. The verified participant database system receives andstores the name and other information of a potential participant,including Retrieve Permission and possibly Delete Permission for athird-party source. These permissions may have been obtained in aprocess such as that illustrated in FIG. 4. In step 50, the verifiedparticipant database system contacts a third-party source to verifyinformation provided by the participant. In step 51, the verifiedparticipant database system provides the Retrieval Permission from theparticipant to the third-party source and obtains information to verifyinformation, such as demographic or purchasing information, on theparticipant. The verified participant database system may store thisinformation corroborated by the third-party source as verifiedinformation of the participant. In step 52, the verified participantdatabase system checks to see if Delete Permission was provided by theparticipant for the third-party source. If Delete Permission wasprovided, the verified participant database system may provide theDelete Permission to the third-party source and request deletion of someor all of the participant's information stored at the third-partysource. Preferably, the verified participant database system tracks thedeletion notifications to, and the responses to the notices from, thethird-party sources.

Referring to FIG. 6, another exemplary process for intake of aparticipant's information according to the present invention isillustrated. The verified participant database system receives andstores the name and contact information of the potential participant instep 60. This may include the name of the potential participant and oneor more forms of contact, such as home and/or work address, phonenumber, email address, social media site identifiers, and other means bywhich the potential participant maybe be contacted. In step 61, theverified participant database system provides the potential participantwith a First Option to retrieve information from a First Source. Theverified participant database may receive Retrieval Permission from theparticipant to retrieve verified information from a First Source. Theinformation to be retrieved from the First Source may or may not beenumerated, and may include identification, demographic, and/orpurchasing information. The verified participant database system maycontact the First Source and provide Retrieval Permission, and receivedocuments or electronic data from the First Source that comprisesinformation on the participant. This information can be stored asverified information. Likewise, in step 62, the potential participantmay be offered the option to delete the First Information at the FirstSource. If the participant desires to delete that information, theparticipant may provide the verified participant database system withDelete Permission for the First Source. The verified participantdatabase system may present Delete Permission to the First Source torequest that the First Source delete some or all of the informationstored by the First Source on participant. Preferably, the request todelete occurs after any information on the participant, includingdemographic and/or purchasing history information, is obtained by theverified participant database system from First Source.

In one embodiment, in step 63, the potential participant is given aSecond Option to retrieve information from a Second Source, and mayprovide Retrieval Permission for the Second Source to the verifiedparticipant database system. The verified participant database systemaccording to the present invention can include further steps to provideoptions to delete the Second Information at the Second Source, toretrieve a Third Information at a Third Source, to delete a ThirdInformation, and so on. The verified participant database system storesthe verified and unverified information for the participant. Theverified participant database system preferably saves informationtracking the status of requests to delete the participant's informationat third-party sources and the response received, including whether thedeletion request was accepted, rejected, or completed.

In the exemplary figures and embodiments, enumerated items are shown asindividual elements. In actual implementations of the invention,however, they may be inseparable components of software or electronicdevices such as a computer. The actions described above may beimplemented all or in part in software that may be embodied in anarticle of manufacture that includes a program storage medium. Theprogram storage medium includes data signals embodied in one or more ofa, computer disk (magnetic, or optical (e.g., CD or DVD, or both)),non-volatile memory, tape, a system memory, and a computer hard drive.

One skilled in the art will realize the systems and methods describedmay be embodied in other specific forms without departing from thespirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodimentsare therefore to be considered in illustrative rather than limiting ofthe described systems and methods. The scope of the invention isindicated by the claims, rather than the foregoing description, and allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are intended to be embraced therein.

1. A computerized method carried out by a processing unit for creating averified participant database system, the method comprising: receivingat a database a first information from a first participant; storing onthe database the first information from the first participant asunverified information on the first participant; receiving at thedatabase a second information from the first participant that isinformation from a third-party source regarding the first participant;storing at the database the second information from the firstparticipant as verified information on the first participant; receivingat the database a first participation requirement for a first event froma first promoter that requires verified information; receiving at thedatabase a second participation requirement for the first event from thefirst promoter; verifying at the database that the first participant'sverified information meets the first participation requirement;verifying at the database that the first participant's verifiedinformation or unverified information meets the second participationrequirement; and notifying the first promoter that at least oneparticipant is eligible for the first event.
 2. The method of claim 1further comprising: receiving at the database a summary of the firstevent from the first promoter; and displaying on a remote computer tothe first participant the summary of the first event from the firstpromoter.
 3. The method of claim 2 further comprising: receiving at thedatabase a confirmation of interest to participate from the firstparticipant; and notifying the first promoter that at least oneparticipant has confirmed interest in participating in the first event.4. The method of claim 2 further comprising the following steps beforedisplaying the summary of the first event to the first participant:receiving at the database one or more event requirements from the firstparticipant; receiving at the database a set of event conditions for thefirst event from the first promoter; and verifying that the one or moreevent requirements from the first participant are satisfied by the eventconditions for the first event.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theone or more event requirements from the first participant include thesubject matter of potential events.
 6. The method of claim 4, whereinthe one or more event requirements from the first participant includethe manner of participating in potential events.
 7. A computer systemfor verifying information on participants and matching participants withevents, the computer system comprising: a storage device; a networkinterface; and a processor coupled to the storage device andcommunicably coupled to the network interface, the processor executingsoftware instructions that configure the processor to: receive at theprocessor a first information from a first participant; store in thestorage device the first information from the first participant asunverified information on the first participant; receive at theprocessor a second information from the first participant that isinformation from a third-party source regarding the first participant;store in the storage device the second information from the firstparticipant as verified information on the first participant; receive atthe processor the a first participation requirement for a first eventfrom a first promoter that requires verified information; receive at theprocessor the a second participation requirement for the first eventfrom the first promoter; verify at the processor that the firstparticipant's verified information meets the first participationrequirement; verify at the processor that the first participant'sverified information or unverified information meets the secondparticipation requirement; and cause to be displayed to the firstpromoter a message that at least one participant is eligible for thefirst event.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor isfurther configured to: receive at the processor a summary of the firstevent from the first promoter; and cause to be displayed to the firstparticipant the summary of the first event from the first promoter. 9.The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further configuredto: receive at the processor a confirmation of interest to participatefrom the first participant; and cause to be displayed to the firstpromoter a message that at least one participant has confirmed interestin participating in the first event.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8,wherein the processor is further configured to: receive at the processorone or more event requirements from the first participant; receive atthe processor one or more event conditions for the first event from thefirst promoter; and verify using the processor that the one or moreevent requirements from the first participant are satisfied by the eventconditions of the first event.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe one or more event requirements received at the processor from thefirst participant includes the subject matter of potential events. 12.The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the one or more event requirementsreceived at the processor from the first participant includes the mannerof participating in potential events.
 13. One or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media having embodied thereon computer-executableinstructions that, when executed, perform a method for creating averified participant database, the method comprising: receiving at adatabase a first information from a first participant; storing on thedatabase the first information from the first participant as unverifiedinformation on the first participant; receiving at the database a secondinformation from the first participant that is information from athird-party source regarding the first participant; storing at thedatabase the second information from the first participant as verifiedinformation on the first participant; receiving at the database a firstparticipation requirement for a first event from a first promoter thatrequires verified information; receiving at the database a secondparticipation requirement for the first event from the first promoter;verifying at the database that the first participant's verifiedinformation meets the first participation requirement; verifying at thedatabase that the first participant's verified information or unverifiedinformation meets the second participation requirement; and notifyingthe first promoter that at least one participant is eligible for thefirst event.
 14. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13having embodied thereon computer-executable instructions that, whenexecuted, perform a method further comprising: receiving at the databasea summary of the first event from the first promoter; and displaying ona remote computer to the first participant the summary of the firstevent from the first promoter.
 15. The non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 14 having embodied thereon computer-executableinstructions that, when executed, perform a method further comprising:receiving at the database a confirmation of interest to participate fromthe first participant; and notifying the first promoter that at leastone participant has confirmed interest in participating in the firstevent.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 14 havingembodied thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed,perform a method further comprising the following steps beforedisplaying the summary of the first event to the first participant:receiving at the database one or more event requirements from the firstparticipant; receiving at the database a set of event conditions for thefirst event from the first promoter; and verifying that the one or moreevent requirements from the first participant are satisfied by the eventconditions for the first event.
 17. The non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 16 having embodied thereon computer-executableinstructions that, when executed, perform a method, wherein the one ormore event requirements from the first participant include the subjectmatter of potential events.
 18. The non-transitory computer-readablemedia of claim 16 having embodied thereon computer-executableinstructions that, when executed, perform a method, wherein the one ormore event requirements from the first participant include the manner ofparticipating in potential events.